Paper folding and box lidding device



Feb. 21, 1939.

FiledFeb. 11, 1955 s sheets-sheet 1 L. m :Ll mom www# MAM MMV. .2., w LV r l r www?, n M R\m IWNM WEA MT. Amm lm. n N MMR \Wm, W. U D wmw /vwm hm\| uw; w MN. om wm Fw. uw *WQ u, Q w T zvw o o NQ o .mwnff, @EN Nn wN |l. Q\N ON.. l' \m. mmm, WR u .n 6.3m. .u .Nvm mm3 hv Il@ Imm NME p J Qhm Elm/hum w r Sm m u nvm. NQ www mb Feb. 2l, 1939. F. A. RANDALL ET AL` 2,148,037

PAPER FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEICE Filed Feb. 11, 1955 s sheets-sheet 2 Feb. i.21, v1939.

F. A. RANDALL ET AL PAPER FOLDING AND4 B0X LIDDINQ DEVICE Filed. Feb. ll, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTO Feb.- 2l, 1939.

F. A.v RANDALL ET AL' PAPER FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEVICE Filed' Feb. 11, 1955 BVSheetSV-.Sheet 4 s /.r. TANA Naw N, MA N w RA fem wm o. K NN. mw Mmmm?. Fay mmm AT T0 F. A. RANDALL ET AL.

PAPER FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEVICE Feb. 21, 1939.

8 Sheets- Sheet v5 l Filed Feb. ll, 1955 Ewmmm Feb. 21, 1939. F. A. RANDALL' ET AL PAPER FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEVICE4 Filed Feb. ll, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 21, 1939. A, RANDALL ET AL 2,148,037

l I PAPER FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEVICE l Filed Feb. ll, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENToRs.

FRA/VK ,LRANMLLv doH/v D. CANTa/w.

ATTORNEY f Feb. 21, 1939. F. A. RANDALL ET' AL 2,148,037

I PAPER FOLDINGAND BOX LIDDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 11,

1935 48 Sheets-Sheet 8 .bottom of the box and up over its ends.

Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE PAPER. FOLDING AND BOX LIDDING DEVICE VFrank A. `Ramilall and John D. Cantoni, Napa, Calif.

Application February 11, 1935, Serial No. `6,012

29 Claims.

This invention relates to aniapparatusfor fold- `ing the paper liners of and the lidding of packing boxes and is adapted particularly to operate on boxes which have been filled with the commodity to `be packed.

An object of `the invention is to vprovide a device which will be capable of taking up a box which `has been illed witha given commodity, and automatically folding the vlining papers therefor in preparation for the application of the box lid.

Another object of the invention is `the provision `of a Ymachine which will automatically complete the folding of the box -interliners and, after `so doing, apply a lid-andsecurethe same to `the box.

These and other objects will become more apparent as the specicationprogresses.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted to the completion of the lpacking of .boxes of dried fruit, such as prunes. `For purposes of illustration merely, reference will bernade to the condition of the-boxes of such fruit at the time they are received by this apparatus.

An Lempty, rectangular .shaped wooden `box is prepared :to receive the fruit inthe ,following manner: Fourfpieces of a light paper, impervious to `water andfruit iuiceaareemployed. Two such pieces, `having the same length as the box, are laid transversely in the box, each extending substantially across three-quarters of the width of the bottom,up the inner `sidewalls and out Vover the opposing sides. The end interliners possess the same `width as'the box, `and are laid along the Thus the four interlining-pieces cover the vWholeinterior .of the box and their ends are draped over substantially the wholeof the four outer walls.

At this pointzthe boxes are charged to overowing with the fruit, either manually or mechanically, and then subjectedto considerablepressure to level the contents with the top of the box and, at the same time, for thepurpose of compressingthe fruit and thereby increase its keeping qualities.

As the boxesprogress from thepressing4 apparatus `the four interlinerlpapersare `hanging over the sides and ends ready to be folded. -Heretofore this folding stephas been accomplished by hand and in plants where a sizeable quantityof fruit has been handled, it has been necessary to assign a .number of operators to this task alone. .Furthermore, ithas been necessary to -retrace some of the folding steps while actuallyapplyingthe lids to the containers, due toithe fact that no mechanical means had-beendevised toretainthe .papers in folded l.position whilethe .boxes were being passed from one operation to another.

lparts removed.

.These short-comings in theconventional methods .of means for feeding boxes of fruit in condition `for application of the lid to a liclding device simultaneously with the lids, and the provision of .mechanism associated-.therewith"to retain and advance the boxes during the actual lidding operation.

The .invention possesses other advantageous Vfeatures, Some of which .with the foregoing, will be set .forth at length in .the following .description wherein we shall outline in full that form of .our invention which we have selected for illustration inthe drawings accompanying and `forming a part of the .present application. `In said drawings, We haveshown one form of .our invention, but it is to be understood that we do not .limit ourselves to such form, since-the invention as set forth inthe claims, may be embodied in a ,plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a box intrliner folding yand lidding device embodying the `objects .of our invention.

Figure 2 is acentral longitudinal section of the machine.

Figure 3 isan elevation of the side of the device opposite to that shown in Figure 1, with certain Figure 4 is an elevation of the receiving end of the device.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of the first element in the paper folding mechanism, showing a box following the operation in .which the side papers are'blown into vertical alignment with the V-sides of the box and about to enter the guides.

Figure 6 is a top plan View of iaportion of lthe l 4machine showingthe clutch mechanism furthe sidelfolders in section and the box tmingarrangement.

Figure 7 is a fragmentaryperspective view of la box inthe paper folding` mechanism showing the .and stop during the various operations.

liner papers and the actuating mechanism therefor, one folder (right) being in its down position.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section taken through Figure 8, illustrating the means by which the folders are lifted clear of the box just before returning to their normal position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective rear View of one of the folders, illustrating means for checking downward movement of the same.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the actuating mechanism for the side folders.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 11 showing the parts thereof in a different position.

Figure 13 is a perspective of the side paper folder elements with the timing carriage therefor in position.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of one of the side paper folding elements with the folder in upright position.

Figure 15 is a top plan View of the carriage device employed to operate the side folders.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective View of the timing device illustrated in Figure 6, with particular emphasis on the control means therefor.

Figure 1'7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a box and a part of the mechanism which folds the last end paper.

Figure 18 is a sectional plan view of the lid feeding mechanism taken along line IIB-I8 of Figure 1.

Figure 19 is a cross-section of the lid magazine and feeding device taken along line 19-I9 of Figure 3.

Figure 20 is an end elevation of the discharge end of the device, illustrating the detail of the lid nailing element and actuating mechanism therefor.

Figure 21 is a cross section of the machine taken along line i. I 2| of Figure 2 showing a box lifted clear of the conveyor belt at the moment the nailing element is completing the lidding operation.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary perspective of the mechanism employed to temporarily stop, acl- Vance and lift the boxes clear of the belt during the nailing operation, and the actuating means therefor.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary perspective View of the mechanism used to align the lids with the boxes and retain the same in position during the nailing operations.

Figure 24 is a sectional View taken along the line 24-24 of Figure 1.

Figure 25 is a section taken along line 25-25 of Figure 23 showing the detail of the box aligning members.

Figure 26 is a sectional view of the lid aligning mechanism taken along line 26-26 of Figure 23.

Figure 27 is a side elevation of the clutch employed in the mechanism illustrated in Figure 22.

Figure 28 is an enlarged view showing the detail of the clutch shown in Figure 27,

To describe our invention briefly, so that its general characteristics may be borne in mind to aid in understanding the details of construction and operation hereinafter set forth, it is pointed out that we have provided a single conveyor belt turning over pulleys mounted at either end of a main frame, which, with the aid of associated timing mechanism, cause the boxes to advance Adjacent to the receiving end of the device, we have placed air blast means for the purpose of raising the side interliner papers to a vertical position. With the side papers so raised, the box continues its progress and passes under guiding means adapted to retain the side interliners in upright position preparatory to the action thereon of the mechanical folders.

As the box progresses, a second blast of air is directed toward the overhanging rear end interliner paper, causing it to be raised to upright position. At this point the box is stopped, a swipe is swung forwardly, by means of an overhead mechanism, causing the said rear end interliner paper to be laid flat on top of the contents of the box. The swipe is then raised to its normal height, and the side paper folders move into position, alternately folding the side papers, at the completion of which the folders are lifted away, rendering the box free to resume its forward movement.

Before the box passes from the side folding mechanism a blast of air causes the front end interliner paper to be raised to a vertical position, ready to be folded down over the side papers. This folding step is accomplished by means of the paper striking against a pair of inclined guides as the box moves forward to the lidding mechanism.

When the paper folding operations have been completed, the box moves forwardly under a magazine of lids. Ejector means, timed with the movement of the box, feed a lid from the bottom of the magazine onto the box and alignment means position it for the nailing of its front and rear ends which completes the packing operation.

Progressing now to a more detailed description of the invention, the numeral III (Figs. 1 and 4) indicates a horizontally disposed main frame, comprising a pair of spaced angle irons I I and I2 supported at the receiving end of the device by legs I3 and I4 and at the discharge end by the leg I5.

The heighth of the main frame is rendered adjustable through the following mechanism: The legs I3 and I4 terminate in the cross bar I6 (see Fig. 4) and slide vertically in the angles of the guide rods I'I and I8. A vertically disposed screw I9 threaded at its upper end, and anchored on the floor in a socket 20, is thrust through an aperture in the cross bar I6 and the latter rests on the hub 2I of the hand wheel 22 riding on the said screw. 'Thus rotation of the hand wheel 22 causes the receiving end of the main frame to be raised or lowered as the occasion demands.

The leg I5 (Fig. 1) consists of a single rod, the

'upper end of which is received by the socket 23 projecting from the understructure 24 of the main frame I0, and the lower end of which is threaded to engage the internal threads of the socket 25, this latter being an integral part of base 25A. A hand Wheel 26 is keyed to the leg I5 and freedom of rotation of the upper end of the latter is secured by the use of a collar 2l keyed to the leg and turning on the surface of the projecting socket 23.

An endless conveyor belt 28 turns about a pair of pulleys 29 and 3E), mounted on shafts journaled at opposite ends of the main frame, as at 3I and 32, respectively, and between said pulleys the belt passes over a series of idler rollers 33 mounted transversely between the angle irons of the main frame I0.

A pair of box guides 34 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) are mounted longitudinally on the main frame and supported by the angle irons II and I2. These guides, as will be noted in Figure 1, extend substantially throughout the length of the machine.

The upper section kof the machine is supported in spaced relation to `and above the main frame by the legs 35 and 36, the former carrying the weight of the forward end of paper folding elements and the latter the lidding mechanism. The legs 35 are disposed one on each side ofthe main frame and are capped by the cross lbeam 31, while the legs Y36 vare on the 4side yopposite to that shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The boxes 38 are fed onto the belt 28 by a conveyor 39, partly shown in Figure 1, extending from the apparatus (not shown) which has performed the preceding step of packing the boxes. In Figure 7' of the drawings there is illustrated a box 38, having side interliner papers 49 and 4|, and front and rear papers '42 and 43, respectively, and filled with fruit. When introduced finto the machine forming the subject matter of this invention these interliner papers are draped over the sides and ends -of the box.

The first element in the paper folding `device comprises a pair of .inner paper guides 44 and 45, formed of a single strip of sheet metal bent fat the forward end of the machine, as at 46 (see Figure 5) and horizontally supported above the conveyor Abelt 28 by means of bracket 41 (Figs. 2 and ll) bolted to a cross bar 48 spanning the legs 35. These guides 44 and 45 are spaced sufficiently above the belt 28 to provide clearance for a box moving thereunder. The guides just described extend from the forward part of the machine to a point just short of the side paper folders to which reference will presently be made.

Outer paper guides 89 and 6| are longitudinally mounted on the machine by means of the brackets 62 connected to the legs 35 (see Figure 4). The latter guides are considerably shorter than the inner guides, and are so mounted that their rear ends are flush with the corresponding end of the inner guides kwhile their forward ends are downwardly inclined to the level of the box guide 34. It will be understood that the space between the inner and outer guides is only enough to allow the side papers 49 and 4I to pass there between while standing in vertical alignment with the sides of the box 38.

A blower 53 (Fig. 2) is suspended beneath` the main frame I0 by means of the bracket 54 attached thereto, and comprises a motor and fan. A conduit |55 carries the air blasts to a pair of jets 83 and 61, positioned inside the angle irons and I2 of the main frame l0 and secured thereto. The jets. and 61 are V-shaped and therefore impart two blasts each, at approximately 45 angles so as to provide a fan-like upward blast of air and cover a substantial area. The function of the jets (i6 and 61 is to blow the side interliners 4|! and 4| upwardly and in vertical alignment with the sides of the boxes, so that the said papers are received andl guided by the guides 44 and 45 and |59 and 6| as the box 38 moves forward. The mouths of the jets are of a `narrow oblong shape, to confine the air blasts to the immediate sides of the box to raise the side papers only.

The paper folding elements |91 (Figs. 1, 2, and 8) are mounted between the legs 35 and the lid magazine 98 and supported in that position by a pair of upper angle irons 69 and 'IiiV and a pair of lower angle irons 1| and 12. The angle irons 69 and 19 are connected at their forward ends to the said legs 35, and while the iron 69 terminates at and is connected to the lid maga- A carriage 80 '(see Figure 15) having a spinelike `body portion 8| and ribs 82., .82A and 82B- projecting therefrom, is `slidably mounted on the rods 83 .by means of the sleeves 84 disposed at the ends of the ribs 85. 'Ihe rods 83 (Fig. 2) are supported and held in spaced .relation to each other by means of the brackets 86 on the legs 35 and the brackets 81 on the ends of the lid magazine l|58. This carriage is reciprocated lengthwise of the machine by a mechanism and vfor a purpose which will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

'I'he first folding operation is in connection with the rear interliner paper 43. As` the box 38 moves into the folding part of the machine and is stopped by a dog 88 (Fig. 2) its side papers 40 and 4| are in vertical alignment with the sides of the box, 'and the :rear paper is draped over the end (as shown in Fig. 5) As the tail end of the box passes over a second set of air jets` 89 (Fig. 2) the rear 'paper 43 (Fig. 3.) is blown to a vertical position in vreadiness for the action of the swipe 90. The swipe 99 (Fig. 7) comprises a strip of rubber or like pliable inaterial 9| riveted to a plate 92 dependent from and keyed to the shaft 93. The shaft 93 is journaled in the downwardly bent ends 94 o'f ribs 95 (Figs. 7 and 15) on the carriage 89. Keyed or otherwise secured to the outer end of 'the shaft 93 is the angular arm 96, which .rides under the cam roller 98. The arm 96 has an upstanding projection 91, adapted to Aslide under 'the guide |93 xed on the angle iron 69. At the Vopposite end of the shaft 93 We 'provide `a sprocket 99 to which is attached one end of `a chain |89. rIhe other end of the chain |99 is secured, by the spring |9|, attached to the rib 82.

'I'he swiping effect of the mechanism just dey scribed is accomplished in the following manner:

les

The box 38 moves to a denite'position on the belt, is stopped by dog 88 (Fig. 2) and the carriage 8|] follows it upon engagement of the clutch |4| (Fig. l), hereinafter described. The arm 95 is in a horizontal plane under, and in contact with cam roller 98, and as the carriage '89 moves (left to right, Fig. 7) and the shaft 99 passes cam 98, arm 9B passes around cam roller 98 to be elevated to a vertical position by action of the force in the spring I 0| thus turning the Aswipe 99 counter-clockwise to a vertical position. The spreading of the paper is completed as the projection 91 on the side of arm 96 (see Fig, 15) rides under the guide |03, during which th'e swipe drags over the surface of the paper. When the projection 91 passes beyond the end of the guide |03, the swipe is raised into a horizontal position above the box under carriage `83. The swipe 9U stays in that position until the folding of the side papers has been effected and the carriage 88 starts its return movement upon completion byclutch |4| of its cycle, at which time the projection 91 once more moves under the stop |93 and' the arm rotates around the ycam roller 98, causing the shaft to rotate in a clockwise direction, and return the swipe to its normal position (Fig. 2).

The said paper folding elements consist of .a

. pair `of folders |05, as shown in .Figure 8 of the drawings. Since both of the elements and the operating mechanism associated therewith are identical in all respects, but one of them will be described, a single set of reference numerals being used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the description.

A piece of sheet metal |06 is riveted or otherwise secured to the angular plate |01 (Fig. 8), the latter having an outwardly extending jog |08, within which is fitted the end piece |09 of the flap |06, the latter being curled about the rod ||0. The side folders |05 are partly guided by the slotted link being connected thereto through the medium of U-shaped bracket ||2, to which the link |I| is pinned. The slot in link rides on the pin ||3 turned in the ear ||4 of the vertical post l5 connected between upper angle iron 69 and lower angle iron 12 (or 16 and 1|, as the case might be) the lower end thereof being turned outwardly at right angles to rest upon said angle iron.

Support and further guidance of the side folders |05 is provided in the lever IIB (Figs, 8 and 9), which is attached thereto by having its upper angled end turned about the rod to form a bearing therefor, the said lever ||6 being apertured at its medial point, as at H1, to receive the rod ||8 which pivotally connects it to the end lever ||9. The lower end of lever H6 is angled, as at |20 (Figs 8, 13 and 14), and apertured to permit connection with the spring member |2|, the latter being connected at its opposite end to ear |22 disposed at the outer end of lever ||9.

Lever ||9 is pivotally connected to the bracket |23, secured to the lower angle iron 12, by means of a conventional pin. Connected to lever H9, at a point proximate to its outer end, by means of a pin |25, we provide an arm |26` which is twisted upwardly and inwardly into lever |21 (Figs. 13 and 14).

Lever |21 (Figs. 8 and 11) is provided with an integral latch or shoulder |28 which is adapted to engage, when in its latched position, the projection or lug |29, disposed on the post H5. A spring member |30 connected to a bracket |3l, on the foot of the post |5, and the lower portion |26 of lever |21, urges the same into the latched position illustrated in Fig. 8 (see left folder) and Fig. 11. A guide ||a connected to post H5, is provided for lever |21.

An upstanding arm |32 rides in the slot |33 of the angle iron (Figs. 13 and 14) and is connected at its lower end to the end of plate |61 of the side folder |05 by means of the pivotal member |34 and U-shaped bracket ||2 (Fig. 10). A roller |35 is carried by said arm |28 and is adapted to bear against the underside of the horizontal ange of angle iron 10 as said arm is caused to move along in the slot |33 (Fig. 8). A spring |36 hooked into the downwardly projecting piece |31, attached to angle iron 10, is connected at its other end to the projection |30 on the pivotal member |34 (Fig. 12).

In operation the side paper folders start from the position of the folders |05 shown in Fig, 8 (looking at the left-hand folder). The rst operation is to move both folders inwardly toward the center of the box to insure complete folding within the inner margins thereof, avoiding interference therefrom with the lidding operation. When rib 82 of the carriage 80 in the forward thrust of its reciprocal movement, caused when clutch |4| is made to engage, strikes lever |32 and starts it in its forward movement in slot |33,

the tensioning of spring |36 is partly relieved and folders |05 and the mounting therefor are freed from slight lateral movement. Contraction of spring |2| (Fig. 8) thereupon causes lever ||6 to swing about its pivot ||8 and because of attachment thereto move folders |05 laterally over the edge of the box 38. The folders are then ready to be actuated in the folding of the side papers.

Following this initial movement of the folders |05, the complete movement of the levers |32 to the end of slots |33 permits full functioning of the springs |36, the contraction of which pulls upwardly on projection |38 on pivotal member |34 and through connection of the latter with plate |01, by bracket ||2, causes the folders |05 to snap into a horizontal position, contacting the side papers and complete this particular portion of the folding operation.

It will be noted that the ribs 82 on the carriage 80 bear a staggered or offset relationship to each other. The purpose of this is to cause one of the folders to be actuated in advance of the other and thus obviate any interference between the two elements.

To retain the folders |05 in horizontal position during the actual folding operation, projections |39 from the bearing at the upper end of lever ||6, are provided, which are adapted to engage the tail piece of plate |61 and act as a stop therefor in its pivotal movement on rod H6.

In timing the movement of the box 38 with the several operations of the machine it is desired to raise the folders |05 therefrom just prior to release of the box for its forward movement. This action is brought about when ribs 62a, in the continued forward movement of carriage 89, contact levers |21 and unlatch them from the positions shown in Fig. 8 (see left folder) to the position shown in Fig. l2. Through the action of spring |30 and the linkage therebetween the arm |26 is snapped downwardly and its end piece causes lever ||9 to swing about its pivot in its connection to bracket |23 permitting further contraction of spring |36 to pull lever |6 and the folders |05 clear of the box (see Fig. 9). The box then moves from under the folding mechanism.

The folders |05 are returned to their vertical position in the following way: Ribs 82D, on the return of the reciprocal movement of carriage 3|, engage levers |32 and draw them rearwardly in slots |33. Rollers |35, bearing against the under side of angle irons 69 and 10 (see Fig, 12) cause the lower end of levers |32 to be moved downwardly, exerting pressure, through the pivotal member |34 and bracket ||2, on the end of plate |01, swinging the latter around its pivot I0 into the vertical position shown in Fig. 8 (see left folder). The force of the downward movement of the lower end of lever |32 is likewise exerted on lever I6 which causes lever l i9 to swing about its pivot in its connection to bracket |23 forcing lever |26 upwardly into its latched position (Fig. 13).

A clutch |4| (Fig. 1) mounted between the upper ends of the legs 35 causes the carriage 00 to be moved backwardly and forwardly through means of a rod |42 rotatably connected to the latter as at |43 (Fig. 2) and to the former by means of dependent leg or arm |44 disposed in the socket |45 at the end of said rod.

'I'he said clutch consists of upper and lower drums |46 and |41, the former received by the latter. The upper drum |46 is keyed on to the of the pin |56.

shaft |48, the uper end of which terminates in the gear |49 engaging the gear |50 disposed on a s'haft |5| turned by the pulley |52 mounted on the outer end thereof. The pulley |52 is turned by the belt |53 connected to any suitable source of power (not shown) The upper drum |46 (Fig. 1) is revolving constantly in a counter-clockwise direction (as will be noted in Fig. 6) and engagement between the two drums is accomplished through provision of the teeth |54 on the interior surface of the upper drum |46 and the bell crank |55 pivotably mounted within the.lower drum |41 by means The teeth engaging end of the bell crank |55 is provided with a roller |51 and the opposite end of the same is connected to a spring |58 pinned as at |59 to the lower drum 41. Thus it will be seen that the roller on the bell crank is normally urged into engagement with the teeth |54 by means of the said spring |58.

'I'he leg |60 of the bell crank |55 projects out- 1 wardly through the side of the lower drum |41,

as will be noted in Fig. 6, for a purpose about to be described.

A dog or lever 65 (Fig. l?, integral with the roller |66, and pitched at an angle in the path of the boxes, starts the operation of the mechanism which causes engagement of the clutch just described. Disposed on the underside of the roller |66 is an arm |61 which is connected to the longitudinally extending rod |68. The latter is attached, at its rear end, to the lever |69, keyed to the shaft |10, the latter being rotatably mounted on one of the legs 35, by means of the brackets |1| and |12.

Through this linkage the shaft |10 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction Awhen the box strikes and thrusts the lever |65 forwardly and downwardly. This causes rod |68 to be pulled rearwardly rotating the shaft |10, and through the medium of the lever |13 and the link I 14; the end of the lever |15 is swung about the pivotal point provided in its attachment to bracket |1519 out of engagement with the protruding leg |60 of bell-crank |55 and the lug |16 on the drum |41, permitting engagement between the upper and lower drums of the clutch (Figs. 1 and l6) It will be understood that the carriage 88 is reciprocated once to complete the operation of the paper folding mechanisms, necessitating one complete revolution of the clutch.

During the paper folding operation forward movement of the box 38 is checked by the stops 88 (Figs. 1, 2 6 and 8) pivotally anchored or attached to the angle iron i8. These stops have downwardly projecting ears H8 towhich are attached a spring member |19, the tension of which normally urges the clog above the level of the belt 28. A link |80, connects the stop 88 to a rocker arm |8| pivotally mounted on the bracket |82 dependent from the angle iron The free end of the rocker arm |8`| carries a pin |83, which rides in the slotted end portion |84 of the rod |68. Through the medium of this linkage the stops 88 are released, during rotation of the clutch drums |46 and |41, when the cam |11 (Fig. 6) on drum |41 engages the roller |158, on lever |15, and moves it outwardly. This causes rota--V tion of the shaft |10, and consequently pushes rod |68. 'I'he slotted end portion |84, of rod |68, permits the initial clutch engaging movement of the rod, without engaging the pin |83 and thereby causing premature release of the stops 88.

In order to prevent reverse motion of the clutch element 4| we provide the following mechanism: an arm |86 secured to post 35 projects inwardly and rocker arm |85 is pivotally mounted thereon. Rocker arm |85 carries a roller |81 which is urged into engagement with a cam |88, on drum |46, through the action of spring |89, this latter being disposed at the opposite end of said rocker arm and the outer end of arm |86.

In order to time the entry of boxes into the paper folding part of the machine and into the lidding device, about to be described, we have provided a stop |92 (Figs. 6 and 16) which protrudes through an aperture 19| in the vertical flange of box guide 34. This stop consists of an upstanding portion pitched at an oblique angle to the belt 28, and extends into an L-shaped portion |93 pivotally mounted as at |94 (Fig. 16). A spring |95, connected to the end of the stop |92 and to the bracket |96, urges the stop into its operating position (Fig. 16). Normally the momentum of the box would drive the stop |92 back through the aperture |9| and therefore we have provided, as a means of locking the stop in its box retaining position, a latch |98 pivotally mounted on the shaft |99 and normally urged into its latching position by means of a` spring 200. A stop |91, on bracket |96, determines the drop of the latch |98 and also limits the outward movement of stop |92 when the latter is unlatched and moved through aperture |9| by the pressure of a box on conveyor 28. The shaft |99 is supported by the brackets |96 and 20| and at the end opposite that on which the latch |98 is mounted, carries the xed lever 202.

When the box 38 passes into the position shown in Fig. 2, that is underneath the paper folding mechanism, it engages the pivotally mounted bar 203 (Figs. 6 and 16) extending parallel to and slightly above the box guides 34. 'I'his bar overhangs slightly in the path of the boxes 98 and the latter move it laterally and retain it in that position, while passing, to permit stop 92 to check the movement of the next box in the manner about to be described. The front end of the bar 203 is turned outwardly as at 204 (Figs. 6 and 16) so that engagement of the box with the said bar will be a gradual one and not mar or disfigure the sides of the box. Bar 203 is supported by means of the legs 205 and 206 pivotally secured to the bracket 20| and the box guide 34.

As the box causes the bar 203 to move laterally, the tip` of the leg 205 is drawn away from the fixed lever 202; shaft |99 rotates and spring 280 urges the latch |98 into engagement with the L-shaped stop |92, retaining the latter in its box retaining position (Fig. 6.). When struck by the next oncoming box on conveyor 28, the inner edges of the L-shaped portion |93 of stop |92 bears against latch 98 and forward movement of the box is checked.

Inasmuch as only one box is handled at a time in the folding and lidding operations, the bar 203 extends to a point just short of the` nail ing element, and thus the stop |92 is held in actuating position until the box moves into the last nailing operation and beyond the end of the said bar. At this point the bar drops downwardly, snap being given to the movement by the spring 201, connected to the bar and anchored to the guide 34, tilting lever 202 and raising latch |98 out of the path of stop |92, the latter being forced outwardly through the aperture by the box 38 as a result of the pull exerted thereon by belt 28.

At the moment the box 38 is released by the stop 88 the end paper 42 still remains to be folded backwardly over the contents of the box, having been previously blown upwardly and retained against the outer side of the plate 269 by blasts from the air jets 2|| as the front end of the box is engaged by dogs 88. The plate 209 is disposed at a forward angle between angle irons 69 and 10 and its lower end is set to barely clear the tops of the boxes 38 (see Fig. 17). End paper 42 is retained outside the folding area proper to permit its employment as a cover for the forward part of the box during the lidding operation and thus prevent the edges of the side papers from being caught and pulled out of place or torn. As the box 38, with the end paper still in this upright position, due to the blasts from jets 2| moves forwardly the paper contacts the inclined guides 2|!) and is smoothed out on top the other folded papers.

It will be observed from Fig. 2 of the drawings that the air jets 89 and 2|| are' supplied by a single blower 2|2, suspended beneath the main frame by means of the bracket 2|3, through the conventional conduits 2|4. A valve 2|5, in a chamber 2|6, connecting the two conduits, controls and directs the air stream to the appropriate jet. Normally the valve isV in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is, directing the air through the jets 2||. To close the valve as to jets 2H and provide a short blast of air through the jets 89 and raise the rear end paper 43, we provide the pivotal lever or trigger 2|1, mounted on the rod 2|8, to one side of the belt 23. A spring 2I9 is disposed between the two chains 220, providing the flexible linkage which connects the trigger and the valve lever 22| to give the essential snap to the action of the valve, as the box 38 moves under the folders and actuates the trigger.

Since it is desired that the blast through the jets 89 be of short duration, to merely raise rear paper 43, we have provided the mechanism shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings to close the valve as to said jets even though the box 38 is still resting on the trigger 2|1. A pivotally mounted lever 222 is connected at its lower end to a rod 223, the opposite end of the latter being slotted as at 224 to loosely receive the pin 225 on the valve lever 22|. A spring 226, hooked in the ear 221, dependent from the main frame, is connected to lever 222 adjacent its upper end. Lever 222 is actuated against the tension of spring 226 by the dependent member 229 which, through its connection with carriage 88, is reciprocated on rods 23| in the hereinafter described manner. When trigger 2|1 is not under the influence of a box, valve 2|5 is in the position indicated in Figure 3, that is, shutting off the air as to jets 89 and directing it to jets 2| As influenced by the next box fed forwardly trigger 2I1, through the medium of the chain 229 and spring 2|9, pulls valve lever 22| thereby moving valve 2|5 into the position illustrated in Figure 2, shutting off jets 2|| and opening pets 89. In this movement of lever 22 pin 225 thereon rides free in the slot 224 of rod 223. The box then contacts stop 88 which causes clutch 4| to begin its cycle and consequent reciprocation of carriage 88 and the mechanisms associated therewith. Thus sleeve 238 is driven forwardly and dependent member 229 releases lever 222 to the action of spring 226. Spring 226 pulls lever 222 about its pivot and rod 223 is thrust rearwardly, the slot 224 engaging pin 225 on lever 22| to swing the latter about its pivot 'and return valve 2|5 to its original position (Fig. 3), against the tension of spring 2|S. As sleeve 238 returns 0n rods 23| in its reciprocal movement, dependent member 229 again engages lever` 222 and, moving it about its pivot against the tension of spring 226, pulls rod 223 forwardly. In this movement pin 225 rides free in slot 224 and the Valve 2|5 remains unaffected.

In our device box lids 235 are fed from a maga- Zine 68 and fed forward simultaneously with the movement of the box into the lidding mechanism. It will be noted from Figs. 18 and 19 that the magazine provided comprises two side frames 235 joined at top and bottom to provide a skeleton framework to support the lids and being open throughout the length of its bottom to permit the feed member 231 to pass therethrough and move the lowermost lid out of the stack.

The feed member 231 is formed of the horizontal piece 238, having a lid engaging shoulder 299,` pivotally connected to and carried by an extension 246 of the connectionV 24| of the sleeves 23D.

The feed member 231 is provided with perpendic. ular member 242 which is apertured to receiveV a bolt 243 carrying the'spring 244 between its head and said member 242 the bolt passing through the connection 24| and being retained by a nut 245.

The feed member 231 is reciprocated through its connection to the reciprocal carriage 8|) (see Fig. 3) by means of the adjustable link 241, the latter being joined at its forward end to the sleeves 230 and at its rear end with the rib 84 of the carriage 88. A single thrust of the carriage 80, moves the sleeves 23D for the full length of the rods 23| and pushes a lid out of the magazine.

It is readily understood that the nailing of the lid to the box cannot be accomplished while the box is being carried by the belt, hence we provide .a mechanism which is adapted to raise the box clear of the belt. It is this mechanism and its attendant devices which put the nailing operation under way.

A cradle 25| (see Figs. 2 and 22) is placed inside the angle irons and |2 beneath the nailing mechanism, and extends rearwardly for substantially the length of the box 38. It is composed of angle irons 252 and 253 held in spaced relation by means of the rods 254 passed through the dependent ears 255 and supported by the links 256, pivotally connected to said irons 252 and 253 the said links being carried by rods 251 and 258, the latter having suitable bearings 259 disposed on plate 218.

Projecting perpendicularly through apertures in the angle irons 252 and 253 are the primary and secondary dogs 26| and 262, respectively. The function of these dogs is to engage the front end of the box 38, the momentum of the latter causing the cradle 25| to be drawn upwardly and forwardly, due to the pivotal action of links 256, lifting the box clear of the belt 28, during the two nailing operations. A plate 268 (Figs. 22 and 24) supports belt 28 as it passes through cradle 25| to insure positive movement of the box when the cradle 25| is returned to its lowermost position.

The dogs 26| are supported by and pivotally connected to a pair of controlling levers 263 and 264 extending in longitudinal alignment with the angle irons 252 and 253 and pivotally mounted on one of the rods 254. The dogs 262 are likewise supported by a pair of levers 266 and 261 with similar pivotal mounting on the other rod 254 retained by ears 255.

Operation of the dogs 26| and 202 is brought about through the following mechanism; the lever 261 has a dependent lug 269 carrying a pin 220, which connects said lever to the link 21|, said' pin riding in the slot 212 of the link 21|. The link 21| is, in turn, pivotally connected to the stub link 213 fixed on the shaft 214, extending transversely of the cradle 25|. The shaft 214 is journaled on one side of the frame (left, looking at Fig. 22) in a bearing 215, mounted on the underside of the connector bar 210 and the opposite end passes through the angle iron 2li to carry a link 233, connecting the same to the clutch for the nailing mechanism. Counterclockwise movement of the shaft 214 (again looking at Fig. 22) causes the outer end of the slot 212 inthe links 21| to engage the pins 210, drawing the forward end of lever 201 downwardly and depressing dogs 262.. At the same time the opposite end of lever 201 is raised into engagement with the notched end of the lever 203 and tips the latter upwardly to depress the dogs 23|.

Unity of movement between levers 234 and 233, as will be readily understood, is afforded by means of the rods 254 connecting the two and on which both are fixed. Likewise levers 261 and 250 are connected by and fixed to a similar shaft 254.

The dogs 26| and 202 are normally urged upwardly through the angle irons of the cradle 25| through the tension exerted by a spring 260 connecting the upstanding projections 23| and 222 on levers 234 and 253, respectively.

Lever 284 (Fig. 22) fixed on an extension of shaft 254, permits manual release of a box from the cradle 25| before either of the two lidnailing operations whenever desired for purpose of inspection or withdrawing a box the papers in which have been improperly folded. By downward movement of lever 284 shaft 214 is caused to rotate in counter-clockwise direction (looking at Fig. 22) and lever 213, through link 21|, pulls the forward end of lever 201 downwardly to depress dogs 232. Simultaneously, the rear end of lever 261 contacts lever 263 and rocks it about its pivot to depress dogs 26 Vifhile dogs 22| and 202 are thus held down, conveyor 28 will carry box 38 on through the machine.

Counterclockwise movement of the shaft 214, to set the clutch and driving mechanism in motion, is accomplished in the following manner: when a box has engaged the primary dogs 20| and drawn the cradle upwardly and forwardly, a projection 285 on the angle iron 252 contacts the perpendicular lever 285, xed on the shaft 214 and extending through theslot 231 in. plate 250. The short forward movement of lever 223 imparts a partial rotation to shaft 210, without depressing dogs 26| and 252 due to the fact that the freedom of pin 210 in slot 212 of link 21| is greater than that aforesaid movement of lever 286.

A link 293 (Figs. 20 and 22) on the shaft 214 connects the latter to a. rod 29d which trips the clutch control mechanism about to be described. The rod 234 is urged downwardly by a spring member 292 connected to it and the base 20. A foot 291 on the rod 294, having an outwardly bent toe 238, carries a trigger 222 normally urged to the left (Fig. 22) of its pivot by a spring 300. Pivotally connected to the support 302, there is a lever 30|, the free end of which has a dependent latch engaging an upstanding piece 304 of a rockable member 305 keyed to-a shaft 306. The lever 303 is normally urged downwardly into its engaging position with 304 by spring 3iiia. The shaft 305, which turns in a bearing 301 located on the base 24, carries a lever 303, connected by a rod 309 to another lever 3|@ mounted on a shaft 3| I. Keyed to the shaft 3H (Figs. 27 and 28) we provide an upstanding member 3&2 which is adapted to engage a dog 3|3 on the clutch member 3|4.

Normally trigger 295i is in the position illustrated in Figure 22, that is, under the free end of iatch Sili. When a box engages primary dogs or 232, and through the mechanism heretofore described has caused a counter-clockwise movement of shaft 214, rod 234 is drawn upwardly and latch 303 is lifted out of engagement with the rockable member 305 by trigger 299. When the nailing operation has been completed, cam Slt! (see Fig. l) strikes lever 225 causing it to swing about its pivot and push rod 204 upwardly. Inasmuch as lever 30| swings on a radius and rod 294 is raised vertically, it will be appreciated that the free end of lever 30| will disengage trigger 230. At the moment of disengagement lever 30| willbe drawn downwardly by the force of spring 33ta and rest on the tip` of upstanding piece 304 on rockable member 305. At the completion of the cycle of the clutch, rockable member 305, through the mechanism about to be described will move counter-clockwise with shaft 380, against the urge of spring 3|5, and the tip of the upstanding portion. 304 thereof will ride under latch 303 on lever 30E until the latter falls into engagement, rod 20d being then urged in its downmost position by spring 235, and trigger 293 will lie partially in the path of the free end of lever 32|. The end of lever 30| will ride the left edge of trigger 299 (Fig. 22) and swing the same about its pivot from left to right (Fig, 22) until rod 234, in its downward movement, has carried trigger 232 below the end of lever 30| whereupon spring 300 will draw trigger 293 to the left of its pivot into its normal position beneath the end of lever 30|.

Clutch 3|4 is a one-revolution clutch made operative when the action of spring 3 l5 on rocker arm 305 rotates shaft 326 pulling arm 309 and member 3|2 connected thereto out from under latch 3|3 (Fig. 2'1).

Disengagement of the clutch 3|4 is brought about when the cam 3|@ carried by the rod 346, in its oounterclockwise movement (looking at Fig. 3) strikes pivotai lever 235 and drives it downwardly causing it to swing about its pivot and push rod 234, to which it is connected, upwardly. By means of a pin Eil, riding in slotted lever 3H, rod 294 draws the end of rockable member 305 upwardly until its upright piece 304 snaps into engagement with latch 303 to lock the clutch member 3|@ in its disengaged position.

To limit the movement of member 3|2 we provide a stop 320 (see Fig. 27) anixed on the sleeve portion 32| of the member 3i2, and adapted to bear against the extension 322 of the sup-- port 323 for the shaft 3H.

The clutch 3M is keyed to the shaft 324 as at 32d and is mounted on the face of a gear 325 also mounted on the shaft 324.

In causing clutch 352 to be engaged to actuate the lidding mechanisms the following operation takes place: A box 33 on conveyor 22 strikes primary dogs 23| and the momentum of the box causes the cradle 2.5i to swing upwardly and forwardly on its supports 256. In this forward movement projection 285 engages lever 286 on shaft 214 and rotation of the latter, through its connection by link 293 pulls rod 294 upwardly. The upward movement of 294 raises latch releasing lever 304 and the tension of spring 3|5 on the end of member 304 pulls it upwardly to turn shaft 306 (Fig. 22). The turning of shaft 306 in this manner pulls rod 399 causing element 3|2 to be swung outwardly on its axis andv from engagement with the dog 3|3 whereupon the clutch member 3|4 engages and power is transmitted to shaft 324 to actuate the lidding mechanisms (Fig. 27).

A. shaft 330 (Fig. 20) turning in the bearing members 33| and 332 mounted at the tops of the supports 302 and 333, carries a pulley 324 which, in turn, is driven by a belt 335 connected to a suitable source of power. A small gear 336 keyed on the shaft 330 meshes with gear 326 transmitting power therethrough to the lidding mechanisms when clutch 3|4 is made to engage.

The nailing mechanism of our machine (Figs. 1 and 20) comprises a series of nail chutes or guides 340, braced by an arm 34| extending from the guides or tracks 341, and communicable with a corresponding number of feed tubes 342 connected to a hopper 343. Nail driving rods 344 are driven by an arm 345 extending at right angles from a connecting rod 346 reciprocated in the tracks 341. Connecting rod 346 is reciprocated by means of the crank arm 349 on the end of the shaft 324.

The nail feed and nailing mechanism are conventional and form no part of this invention. Hence for purposes of illustration we have shown such means in simplified form suitable to carry out the purposes of our machine.

A constant supply of nails is insured by the following means: A nail box 352 is connected to a hopper 343, supported as at 35|, and Vis tiltable with respect thereto through the medium of the rod 353 reciprocated by the crank arm 356 on shaft 351. The rod 353 is connected to the box 352 by means of the pivotal members 354 and 355. The said shaft 351 carries a sprocket 359 driven by a chain 360 engaging a gear 36| turned by the shaft 324. When the hopper 352 is raised to the charging position (Fig. 20) nails are fed one at a time from hopper 343 through transverse feed bar 350 into tubes 342, through which they drop to the guide members 340` We provide a novel means for aligning the boxes prior to the lid nailing operation. (See Figs. 2, 23 and 24.) A plunger 310 supports the front clamp 31| and a lid ram 312. The plunger 310 passes through an apertured ear of the bracket 314, secured to one of the tracks 341 in which the nailing arm 345 reciprocates and has an adjustable collar 315 which determines its downward movement. A spring 316 encases the plunger 310, the upper end abutting the ear of the bracket 314 and the lower end resting upon a collar 311 fixed on the shaft by a pin 318.

The said spring 316, it will be understood, normally urges the plunger downwardly toward the box 38 to urge its dependent and co-acting members into operation. In order to lift the plunger we employ the following mechanism: A forked lever 319 is swingably connected to collar 311 xed on plunger 31 by means of the links 380 held by the pin 38|, the end of said lever 319 adjacent the tracks 341 tapering to a point 382 and the opposite ends being pinned to a downwardly bent extension 383 of the bracket 314.

Contraction of the spring 316 is brought about when the shoulder 384, carried by the lower end of the dependent member 385 fixed on connecting rod 346, on its upward movement with the latter, contacts the point 382 of the lever 319 pushing the plunger 310 into the position shown in Fig. 23.

The side clamps, the description of one of which will suflice (see Figs. 25 and 26) comprise a stationary member 386 supported by a bar 381 attached to magazine 69, on which are pivotally mounted the alignment member 386 and the lid contacting member 339 by means of pins 390 and 39|, respectively.

The lid contacting member 389 has an outwardly extending arm 332 to which is attached a spring member 393 connected to the outwardly extending arm 394, of the stationary member 386, the said spring urging the lid contacting member 369 inwardly to permit its curved end 395, co-acting with the opposite lid contacting member, to engage and align the box lids. A bolt 396 through stationary member 386 tends to limit the outward movement of the said member 389 (Fig. 26).

The alignment members 388 are normally out of box engaging position, but are adapted to be urged into box engaging position by the spring 391 connected between the outwardly extending arm 398 of the former and the projection 399 of the stationary member 386 when the plunger 310 carrying projection 49|) is lowered from contact with levers 40| which hold the aligning members away from the box. The aligning members 383 are moved outwardly from the box engaging position when plunger 319 is drawn upwardly, projection 400 carried thereby lifting levers 49| pivotally connected to the outwardly turned arms 492 fixed on the stationary member 386, links 403 being connected to levers 49| and an outward projection 404 on box engaging member 383 (Figs. 23, 24 and 25).

The box lid ram comprises an upwardly curved piece 312 (Figs. 2 and 23) integral with the rods 406, the latter being pivotally connected to plunger 310 by means of U-shaped bracket 401, and connected at their forward ends to bar 34|. Thus when the action of spring 3'l6 forces plunger downwardly, ram 312 is driven against the box lid and retains the same in a tight fitting position with the box 38.

Front clamp 31|, the purpose of which is to press down on the lids and steady both box and lid during the second nailing operation, comprises an angular piece, having its vertical section inwardly disposed with respect to the box, c arried by the downwardly extending portion 498 of arm 409, the latter being an integral part of plunger 310.

For the purpose of taking up the shock of the nailing operation, and thus to protect the boxes and the mechanisms comprising the box raising elements, we have provided pla-te 2218 (Figs. 2 and 22) with the following type of supporting means: The forward end of the plate is hinged, as at 4|0, to the support 24, while the rear end is loosely retained by the bolts 4H, turned in the said support 24, spring member 4|2, on said bolts between said plate and said support 24, normally urging the said plate upwardly against the heads of bolts 4H or into a' horizontal position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when the box raising element is in its raised position the flexibility of the supporting means for plate 213 will take up the brunt of the nailing blows, relieving links 256, and the mechanism associated therewith, of the wear and tear.

The following is a detailed description of the operation of the machine forming the subject matter of our invention through one complete cycle:

A box `38 having previously been lled with fruit and with its interliner papers 40, 4|, 42 and i3 draped over its sides and ends, respectively, passes from the conveyor 39 onto conveyor belt i3 in our machine. The side interliner papers 'are blown into vertical alignment with the sides of the box as the latter passes over the air jets 51 (Figs. 2 and 5) and the `said papers are retained in that position, as

the box progresses on conveyor 23, by guides 45, 60 and 5|.

If the preceding box has not yet cleared the paper folding and lidding mechanisms, stop |92 (Figs. 2, G and 16) will hold the box from further movement into the machine by virtue of the lateral movement of bar 233 through contact with the sides of the preceding box and stop the box 38 just short of the paper folding elements. When the preceding box has passed through 'the lidding mechanisms and beyond the end of bar 203, the latter moves inwardly, through own weight and the action of spring 201, and by means of its operative connection by member Eil? and the rod |99 disengages latch 198, freeing stop |92 which is then swung out of its box retaining position through aperture ISI in guide 355 by the box 33 due to the pull of conveyor Eil.

As box 330 moves into the zone of the iirst of the paper folding mechanisms it actuates trigger 2li (Fig. 2) which' in turn opens valve ZIB and a blast of air from fan 2|2 through jets @il causes the rear end paper 43 to rise in vertical alignment with rear end of the box 38. Box 3&1 then travels a short distance and its movement is checked in the paper folding zone by contact of its front end with stop 88.

It will be understood that at this moment side papers it and ill and end paper 43 are in vertical position ready to be folded over the contents of the box while the front end paper 42 is still draped over the front end of the box, hanging outside of the zone of the first paper folding mechanisms.

A split `second before coming to a stop against the dog 5i! the front end of the box has depressed lever ltb which has pulled rod |68 rearwardly to cause the one cycle clutch |4|| to engage and reciprocate the carriage (Fig. l). When rod itl! (Fig. 5) is pulled rearwardly shaft |10 is revolved in a counterclockwise direction (looking at Fig. 6) and the latter through the linkage |13 and IVM has moved lever |15 about its pivotal point to disengage roller |15EL from leg |60 of bellcrank lob. Spring |58 then swings roller 51 on bollore-nk. |55 into engagement with the teeth teil causing engagement of the upper and lower drums it@ and lill of the clutch and rotation or the latter in the direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 6. Rod |42, through its eccentrio connection with drum M1 (Fig. l) and the connection with carriage 3B (Fig. 15), reciprocates the latter on the tracks 03 to actuate the paper folding mechanisms as power is transmitted in the rotation of shaft |58 by pulley In the forward movement of carriage 80 the swipe il@ (Fig. '1) carried thereby, is caused to engage end paper 43 and fold the same over the contents of the box as arm 96 moves around roller 08 in a cam-like action. This swiping action is continued as projection 91 rides under guide |03. Having finished its operation in the folding of the end paper 43 swipe 00 is caused to rise to a horizontal position under the carriage 30, and out of the way of the side paper folders |05, when projection 01 on arm 96 rides out from under the stop |03, the further tensioning of spring lill causing the unwinding of chain |00 and consequent rotation of shaft 99 in a counterclockwise direction (looking at Fig. .'7).

Further forward movement of the carriage B0 brings ribs 82 into engagement with levers |32 andcauses .them to move forwardly in slots |33. Movement of levers 32 in slots |33 causes an inward movement of folders |05 from a position where the axes |10 of the folders are approximately in vertical planes delined by the outer sides of the box, (see Fig. 8 left side) to a position inwardly of the outerside as shown in Fig. 8y

right side. By such inward movement a more complete folding of the side papers 40, 4| will result, when the folders in their pivotal movement, fold the papers over the top of the box.4 In this initial movement the tensioning of spring |36 is relieved as roller |35 traverses the underside of an'gle irons E53 and "It and lever |32 is thrown out of the perpendicular and swings in an arc defined by its connection to folders |65 through members |34 and ||2. Spring |2| (Fig. 8) causes lever Il@ to swing about its pivot IIB and, through its connection therewith, move folders |05 laterally over theedge of the box 30. The folders are then ready to be actuated in the folding of the side papers. The complete movement of the levers |32 to the end of slots 1133 permits further tensioning of springs |36, the contraction of which causes the folders |05 to snap into a horizontal position, contacting side papers l0 and 4| and completing the folding operation. As hereinbefore pointed out the staggered relationship of ribs 82 on carriage 80 results in one of the folders |05 being actuated in advance of the other to obviate interference.

The further forward movement of carriages() causes engagement of ribs 82a (Fig. 13) with levers |21 which are pushed out of their latching position (Fig. l2) to raise the folders |05 from the boxes just prior to the release of the box 38 for further forward movement. This operation is brought about by the actionV of spring |30 which snaps arm |25 downwardly causing lever H9 to swing about its pivot in the connection to bracket |23, permitting further contraction of spring |35 to pull lever IIE and the folders |05 clear of the box (Fig. 9).

Still travelling forwardly carriage 00, through its connection 251 (Fig. 3), drives the dependent member 229 out of engagement with trigger 222 to close Valve 2lb as to jet 89 and permitting the escape of air through jet 2|| which raises end paper i2 against the plate 209. Simultaneously the feed member 231 (Fig. 19) feeds the lower first lid out of the magazine 68 between the clamps 380 in readiness for the first of the nailing operations.

As clutch |4| completes its cycle the carriage 80 begins the return of its reciprocal movement to cause the return of the swipe to its original position, the resetting of the side folders H15, and the release of the box from this zone.

As clutch Uil revolves cam |11 (Fig. 6) engages roller |152 on lever' |15, and moves it outwardly, which through the linkage |14 and |13 rotates the shaft |10 and the latter, through the connecting link |69 (Fig. 1), pushes rod |68 forwardly. This, through linkage |83, |8| and pulls stop 88 downwardly releasing the box 38.

Further return movement of carriage 80 causes rib 82b to engage lever |32 and effect the resetting of folders |05 by drawing them rearwardly in slots |33 whereupon rollers |35, bearing against the underside of angle irons 69 and 10 (Fig. 12) cause the lower end of levers |32 to be moved downwardly, exerting pressure, through the pivotal member |34 (Fig. 9) and bracket H2, on the end plate |01, swinging the latter around its pivot ||0 into the vertical position shown in Fig. 8 (see left folder). The force of the down-. ward movement of the lower end of lever |32 is likewise exerted on lever ||6 which causes lever ||9 to swing about its pivot in its connection to bracket |23 forcing lever |26 upwardly into its latched position. (Fig. 13.)

Swipe is returned to its original position as the further return movement of carriage 80 slides projection 91 on arm 96 under guide |93 and the arm 96 contacts roller 98 and moves around it in a cam-like action to revolve shaft 93, clockwise (looking at Fig. '1), and effect the rewinding of chain |90 on sprocket 99 with the aid of spring 0|.

Disengagement of the clutch |4| (Fig. 1) is brought about when the leg |60 (Fig. 6) of bellcrank |55 strikes roller |15a on lever |15 pushing roller |51 out of engagement with teeth |54.

Upon the release of the box 38, by the dog 88, constantly moving conveyor 28 moves the box forwardly and the contact of end paper 42 with the guides 2|0 (Fig. 2) folds the same rearwardly over the side papers 49 and 4|.

It will be appreciated that during the paper folding operation just described, and the nailing operations about to be mentioned, bar 203 is held outwardly by contact with the side of the box 38 causing stop |92 to hold the next succeeding box from being fed forwardly. The zone of the rst folding operation is kept clear of the next succeeding box for the purpose of resetting the said folder elements |05 and the swipe 90 by return of the carriage 8|).

Further movement of the box 38 on conveyor 28 brings the same over cradle 25| (Figs. 2 and 22) and the engagement of the primary dogs 26| by the front end of the box. The momentum of the box rocks cradle 25| upwardly on its pivotal supports 256 to lift the box 38 clear of belt 28 during the nailing operation. In the course of the upward and forward movement of cradle 25| projection 285 is brought into engagement with lever 286 on shaft 214 which through the connecting lever 293 pulls rod 294 upwardly to actuate the elements which cause engagement of clutch 3|4. The upward movement of rod 294 lifts the latch member 30| from engagement with the rockable member 364 on shaft 306 and the latter is partially turned upon contraction of spring 3|5. The turning of shaft 396, by virtue of the connecting member 358, pulls the rod 309 to swing element 3|2 out of engagement with the dog 3|3, whereupon the clutch member 3|4 engages and power is transmitted to shaft 324 to aotuate the lidding and nailing mechanisms.

As shaft 324 (Figs. 1 and 3) is rotated crank arm 349 thereon reciprocates connecting rod 346 to begin the actuation of the lid aligning and nailing mechanisms. On the prior up stroke of connecting rod 346 in tracks 341 the shoulder 384, carried by the lower end of the dependent member 395 xed on connecting rod 346, engaged lever 319 to compress spring 316 thereby raising lid ram 312 clear of the lid about to be nailed. At the same time levers 40| are engaged by the projection 400 on plunger 315 and drawn upwardly whereupon the lid and box aligning members 368 and 395, respectively, are drawn out of engaging position (Fig. 23).

While the connecting rod 346 is on its up stroke on tracks 341 the nail feed element 352 is being raised into the feeding position shown in Fig. 20 by the rotation of crank arm 356 on shaft 351, through the medium of connecting rod 353, shaft 351 having a driving connection with shaft 324 through chain 369 and the gears 359 and 36|. The action of connecting rod 353 is to tilt nail hopper 352 into the position shown in Fig. 20, permitting nails to be fed into the feed tubes 342 to the guides 340 in readiness for the nailing operation.

Further rotation of shaft 324 lowers the nail hopper 352 and the chute 343 and connecting rod 346 begins its down stroke. Lever 319 is released and spring 316 on plunger 310 forces the lid ram 312 downwardly toward the box lid. Likewise levers 49| are released and through the action of springs 391 and 393 the alignment members 389 and 388 engage the lid and the box. This latter action is just prior to the striking of the lid by ram 312 and the clamping effect thereof, together with member 31|, in preparation for the nailing operation. Nail driving rods y,

344, are driven downwardly by virtue of their connection to connecting rod 346 by the arm 345, nailing the front end of the box.

As shaft 324 continues its rotation cam 3|9 (Fig. 3) is brought into engagement with lever 295, having an operative connection to rod 294, which effects disengagement of the clutch 3|4, the return of cradle 25| to its lowermost position and the release of box 38 from the rst of the nailing o-perations. The upward thrust of rod 294 rotates shaft 214 counter-clockwise (looking at Fig. 22) and through the connection of the levers 213 and 212 and the pin 210 dogs 262 and 26| are depressed, releasing the box from the position in which it was held during the pri- Upon disengagement mary nailing operation. of cam 3|9 and lever 295, the tension of spring 296 pulls rod 294 downwardly, and lever 293, with which it is connected, causes shaft 214 to rotate in a clock-wise direction. Lever 286 on shaft 214, being in engagement with projection 285 on cradle 25| forces the latter rearwardly and downwardly into its lowermost position. Thereupon box 38 again rests upon conveyor 28 and the latter moves it forwardly into the second nailing operation commenced upon engagement of the box by secondary dogs 262.

As rod 294 is thrust upwardly through the action of cam 3|9 on lever 295 it effects disengagement of the clutch 3M in the following manner: Pin 3|6 on rod 294 rides to the end of the slot in lever 311 affixed on the end of rockable member 305 and upon exerting a pull rocks member 365 against the tensioning of spring 3|5 and into the latched position shown in Fig. 22. Through the connecting members hereinbefore described upstanding member 3|2 is brought into engagement With dog 3|3 and the clutch 3|4 is disengaged.

In the second nailing operation, in which the rear `end ofthe lid is nailed to the box, the .identical operation vtakes place upon fthe front end of the box engaging secondary dogs 252 to raise the cradle 25|, lifting the box clear of the conveyor 28 and the beginning of another cycle of operation of the lid aligning and nailing mechanisms when clutch S314 is once more engaged.

It will be appreciated that our machine is subject to many modifications and variations without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by grant of Letters Patentls:

1. A device of the character described cornprising means for raising the `side lining papers of a `box in vertical alignment with the walls of the box, paper folding means, means for advancr ing a box tosaid paper folding means, and means for retaining said papers in such position as the box advances to said folding mechanisms.

2. A device of the character described comprising vmeans for folding the lining papers of the box over the contents thereof, a lid maga- Zine, means for feeding lids therefrom, reciprocal means for actuating said folding means and said lid feeding means, means for aligning said lid with said box, and means .for securing `said lid to said box.

3. In a device of the character described,

means for folding the rear liner paper over the contents of a box comprising, an overhead reciprocal member, a folder carried thereby, means for driving said overhead member, and means actuated by reciprocation of said overhead memf ber causing Voscillation of said folder.

4. In a device of the character described, means for folding the rear liner paper `over the contents of a box comprising, an overhead `reciprocal member, a folder carried thereby, means for driving said overhead member, and means actuated by reciprocation vof said "overhead member causing said folder to engage said paper `and spread the same over the contents of 'a box.

5. In a device of the character described,

`means for folding the side liner papers over `the contents of a box comprising, a pair of folders, means for preliminarily `moving 'the folders ine Wardly over the edges `of the box, and means for actuating said folders.

`6. In a device of the character described, means for folding 'the side liner'papers over the contents of a box comprising, a'pair of folders, means for preliminarily moving the folders inwardly over the edges ofthe box, and means for Aactuating .and then setting said folders outwardly from'the edges of said box.

'7. In a device Iof the character described, means for folding the side liner papers over the `contents of a box comprising, a pair of folders, means for preliminarily moving the folders inwardly over the edges of the box, means for actuating said folders, means for raising rthe folders clear of the box and its contents, and means for setting said folders outwardly from the edges of said box.

8. In a device of the character described,means for raising the side` and end papers into folding position comprising, a box conveyor, a constant blower adapted to raise the side papers as the box advances on said conveyor, a second blower `adapted to raise the rear and front end papers,

respectively, a valve therefor, box actuated control means for said valve directing the blast to said rear paper, an overhead reciprocal member, driving means therefor, box actuated control j means for said driving means, and means actuated by said `reciprocal member on its outstroke for closing the valve on said second blower as to said rear `end paper and re-directing the blast to saidfront end paper.

9. In a device of the character described, means for Vfolding the front end paper rearwardly over the contents of a box comprising, a moving conveyor, means for arresting movement of said box with said conveyor, aplate disposed at a forward angle `above the forward end of the box when the latter is so stopped from movement with said conveyor, means for raising the front end paper against said plate, and means for folding said paper over the box upon release and further movement of said box on said conveyor.

10. In a device of the character described, a conveyor, means for moving a box on said conveyor, a cradle normally resting below the level of said conveyor but adapted when actuated to swing upwardly and forwardly to raise a box clear of said conveyor for application of a lid, and actuating means for said cradle comprising clepressible dogs normally projecting upwardly above the level of said conveyor to engage the front end of a box.

ll. In a device of the character described, a conveyor', means for raising a box clear of said conveyor actuated under impact of a box advancing on said conveyor, means for applying a lid to a box while on said raising means, driving means for said lidding means, a clutch normally disengaged for said driving means, said clutch being engaged upon the actuation of said box raising means. i

l2. In a device of the character described, a conveyor, means for raising a box clear of said conveyor actuated under impact of a box advancing on said conveyor, means for applying a lid to a box While on said raising means, driving means foi` said lidding means, a clutch for said driving means, said clutch normally disengaged being engaged upon actuation of said box raising means, and means cooperating with said driving means to cause disengagement of said clutch.

i3. In a device of the character described, a conveyor, means for raising a box clear of said conveyor actuated under impact of a box advancing on said conveyor, means for applying a lid to a box while on said raising means, driving means for said lidding means, a clutch for said to return the box to the conveyor at the completion of the lidding operation.

14. In a device of the character described, a moving conveyor, means for arresting movement of a box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the side and rear end liner papers over the contents of the box while the latter is so stopped from movement with said conveyor, means for releasing the box from said stopping means at the completion of the .aforementioned folding operation, means for folding the front end liner paper over the box as it resumes its movement with said conveyor, means for supplying a lid for said box, means for raising the box clear of the conveyor, and means for aligning and applying the lid when the box is raised by said last named means.

l5. In a device of the character described, a conveyor, means for arresting movement of a box relative to said conveyor, means for foldingthe side and rear end liner papers over the contents of the box while the latter is stopped from movement with said conveyor, means for releasing the box from said stopping means at the completion of the aforementioned folding operation, means for folding the front end liner paper over the box as it resumes its movement with said conveyor, means for supplying a lid for said box, means for raising the box clear of the Conveyor, means for aligning the lid with the box as the latter is raised clear of the conveyor, and means for nailing an end of the box each time it is raised clear of the conveyor.

16. In a device of the character described, means for folding the rear end liner paper, the side liner papers and the front end liner paper successively over the contents of the box, means for supplying a lid for the box, means for aligning the lid with the box, and means for securing the lid to the box.

17. In a device of the character described, means for successively folding the rear end liner paper, the side liner papers and the front end liner paper over the contents of the box, means for supplying a lid to the box, alignment means therefor, and means for successively securing the opposing ends of the lid to the box.

18. In a device of the character described adapted to act upon a filled box having liner papers draped over the sides and ends thereof, comprising, means for raising the side and rear end liner papers into vertical alignment with the Walls of the box, means for successively folding the rear end, side and front end liner papers over the contents of the box, means for supplying a lid to the box, means for aligning the lid with the box, and means for securing said lid to said box.

19. In a device of the character described, a moving conveyor, paper folding means, lidding means, means for arresting movement of a box relative to said conveyor for the action of said folding means, and means for raising the box clear of said conveyor for the action of said lidding means.

20. In a device of the character described, a moving conveyor, means for folding the side and rear end liner papers over the contents of a box, means for arresting movement of said box relative to said conveyor for the action of said folding means, means for folding the front end liner paper when the box has been released from s-aid stopping means and resumed its movement with the conveyor, lidding means, and means for raising the box clear of said conveyor for the action of said lidding means.

21. In a device of the character described, a moving conveyor, means for folding the side and rear end liner papers over the contents of a box, means for arresting movement of said box relative to said conveyor for the action of said folding means, means for folding the front end liner paper over the contents of said box When the latter has been released from said stopping means and resumed its movement with said conveyor, lidding means, and means for successively raising said box clear of said conveyor for the action of said lidding means on the two ends of the box.

22. A device of the character described comprising, a conveyor, means for moving a box with said conveyor, means for arresting movement of said box relative to said conveyor, folding elements adapted to fold the side and rear lining papers of the box over the contents thereof While movement of the box is arrested, means for effecting movement of the box with the conveyor upon completion of the aforementioned folding operation, and means for foldingthe front lining paper over the contents of the box as the for- Ward movement of the box is resumed.

23. In a device of the character described, means for aligning a lid and a box, a lid nailing member, control means for said aligning means and said nailing member, means for conveying boxes under said alignment means and said nailing member, and means for raising a box clear of said box conveying means for the alignment and nailing operations, said box raising means actuating the control for said alignment means and said nailing member.

24. In a device of the character described, a moving box conveyor, means for moving a box With said conveyor, means for arresting movement of the box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the liner papers over the contents of a box While movement thereof is arrested, an overhead reciprocal member actuating said folding means, driving means for said reciprocal member, and a clutch for said driving means, said box stopping means causing engagement of said clutch under impact of the moving box.

25. In a device of the character described, a moving box conveyor, means for moving a box with said conveyor, means for arresting movement of the box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the liner papers over the contents of the box, an overhead reciprocal member actuating said folding means on its out stroke and resetting the same on its in stroke, driving means for said reciprocal member, and a clutch for said driving means, said box stopping means causing engagement of said clutch under impact of the moving box.

26. In a device of the character described, a moving box conveyor, means for moving a box with said conveyor, means for arresting movement of said box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the liner papers over the contents of a box when the movement of said box relative to said conveyor has been arrested, an overhead reciprocal member to actuate said folding means, driving means for said reciprocal member, and a clutch for said driving means, said box arresting means causing engagement of said clutch under the impact of the moving box.

27. In a device of the character described, a moving box conveyor, means for moving a box with said conveyor, means for arresting movement of said box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the liner papers over the contents of the box when the movement of said box relative to said conveyor has been arrested, an overhead reciprocal member to actuate said folding means, driving means for said reciprocal member, a clutch for said driving means, said box arresting means causing engagement of said clutch under the impact of a moving box, and means for releasing the box from said arresting means upon completion of the folding operation.

28. In a device of the character described, a moving box conveyor, means for moving a box with said conveyor, means for arresting move'- ment of said box relative to said conveyor, means for folding the liner papers over the contents of the box when the movement of said box relative to said conveyor has been arrested, an overhead reciprocal member to actuate said folding means, driving means for said reciprocal member, a clutch for said driving means, said box arresting means causing engagement of said clutch under the impact of a moving box, and means causing release of the box from said arresting-means and 

